Compete January/February 2018 by COMPETE Magazine

MICHAEL PHELPS MAKES A SPLASH NEW ENGLAND

PATRIOTS SPONSOR GAY BOWL XVII

JACK

MACKENROTH RIDES FOR LIFE

TRANSGENDER ATHLETES SHINE

INSTANT REPLAY

LOOKING BACK AT 2017 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 • VOL. 12 NO. 1 $3.95 • COMPETENETWORK.COM

FEATURE 18 Competition, Connections and Unity: The NGFFL Gay Bowl XVII

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 ISSUE COMPETENETWORK.COM MVP 24 S teven Benedict ATHLETE 27 Olympic Channel’s “Identify” Shares Trans Athletes’ Stories ONE-ON-ONE 16 J ack Mackenroth: Still BRAKING AIDS® SPORTS 14 K noxville Women Make History at Gay Softball World Series 30 M ile High Summer Splash: 2017 Compete Swimsuit Shoot FACES OF SPORTS 33 Michael Phelps: Making Swimming More Safe and Accessible 34 Joanie Evans: First Black Co-President of the Federation of Gay Games GYMBAG 38 Hot Items You Shouldn't Do Without EVENTS 40 February Events STYLE 42 L ifestyle Apps: Making Life Better

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BEDROOM SPORTS 44 Relationships and Dating Can Get Tricky

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COMPETE

MILLENNIAL ON SPORTS: FROM THE SPORTS EDITOR

IS NFL DRAMA MORE ABOUT DISTRACTION?

BY DIRK SMITH

s Super Bowl LII fast approaches, the NFL has certainly had its fair share of drama lately, so much in fact that I can’t help but think it’s more than coincidental.

I am not just talking about Colin Kaepernick and the National Anthem protests. I’m also not talking about the disputes between NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones in addition to the controversies surrounding New England Patriots QB Tom Brady and the whole Deflategate scandal. Nor am I talking about the recent fracas where Quinton Jefferson of the Seattle Seahawks tried to get to people in the stands willing to sacrifice an over-priced stadium drink and some food to make a point. Added to that are the ever-increasing reports of concussions that can lead to long-term brain injuries in athletes. So yeah, lots of drama there. I mean I haven’t seen this much drama in American Football since the XFL. Based purely on my own speculation and observations as a gay man (thus all should be taken with a grain of salt), I think we all know that people like drama. For example, do we follow NASCAR to watch cars speed around an oval track 500 times? No. We watch it for the crashes. Would you rather see Ru Paul’s Drag Race if it were just a clean, wholesome beauty pageant-like show? Nope! Why? Because we want the drama. Amidst all this daily drama, the NFL has one major ongoing problem – it has misled, even lied over the years to players and public alike about the dangers to players of long-term brain injury due to concussions. Finally legally forced into a very expensive financial settlement in 2015 with many retired players, it has been an ongoing public relations disaster for the league even though it wasn't required to admit any responsibility in court. For those players with repeated, often traumatic blows to the head that lead to CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy), common symptoms include include aggression, depression, memory loss and an increased risk of suicide, conditions that tend to worsen over a person’s lifetime. A recent study published in the Journal of American Medicine found CTE in the brains of 110 of 111 deceased NFL players examined. While NFL players have shown signs of CTE, it’s also been found in some high school-aged players and younger. With new research showing that playing football before age 12 increases the chances of brain problems in later life, more and more parents are hesitant to let their kids join youth football programs. The future of the sport is directly impacted by the next generation’s participation on the youth and high school levels. But if the number of young players continues to decline, the NFL as we know it will disappear (maybe the reason the NFL has reallocated over $17 million into concussion research). Again, mere speculation but the NFL and American Football is a multi-billion-dollar industry – Goodell’s recent five-year contract extension is reportedly worth up to $200 million if all incentives are met and bonuses granted. So this bleak outlook on the league’s continued existence is going to raise a few eyebrows. In order to keep people’s interest in the sport and perhaps even distract from this larger concussion issue, what better way to do it than with more drama. Some people might say any publicity is good publicity, right? And if people are more outraged by the antics of Colin Kaepernick, Tom Brady and whatever is left of the Denver Broncos, then perhaps they won’t think about the continuing impact that CTE is having on the athletes and the sport. Not the best option for keeping the NFL For a well-researched and written piece on the complex NFL settlement go to: alive! https://www.si.com/nfl/2017/08/15/new-cte-study-effect-nfl-concussion-settlement

Dirk Smith, SDL Sports Editor dirk@competenetwork.com @competedirk

6 COMPETE january/february 2018

THE CATBIRD SEAT: FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

2017: MOVING TOWARD A NEW NORMAL

hen Jason Collins and Robbie Rogers came out in 2013, followed the next year by Michael Sam, I think we all believed this was the tipping point for gay athletes – that they would be able to come out and play their chosen sports and be athletes, just like everyone else. It certainly got the world’s attention … and pushback. Unfortunately, it appeared to drive LGBTQ athletes back in the closet. Although 2017 has been challenging in many ways, I think it has offered the LGBTQ community a period of normalization when smaller events began to show us the new normal for gay athletes. For example, at our 8th Annual Petey Awards in Kansas City, Missouri we honored Ryan Long as our 2017 Mark Bingham Athlete of the Year. Of the many pictures taken of him, we chose to show him with his fiancé Curtis, emphasizing the normality of a gay athlete being able to marry. Also honored that night were Connect Sports, an SDL Enterprise and Major League Soccer, the first U.S. professional sports league to become an SDLC member, both openly supporting the sports diversity movement. Another important story with less strident coverage has been that of trans male hockey player Harrison Brown, the 24-year-old forward who played last season in the National Women’s Hockey League for the Buffalo Beauts. Assigned female at birth, he’s been living as a man since 2016, a fact that made him the first openly transgender professional athlete in a team sport to claim a national title when the Beauts won the title in March over the Boston Pride. Brown announced his retirement after the season ended to begin his physical transition, listing top surgery first and then hormone therapy. But over the summer he changed his mind and signed a one-year contract with the Metropolitan Riveters, saying "I heard from so many people who said that watching me be an active athlete—a trans man in this very binary world of sports—gave them hope. I felt like I had more to give." Perhaps the event that got the most coverage beyond the sports world was the November wedding of WNBA star Elena Delle Donne and Amanda Clifton since their nuptials were chosen as The Knot Dream Wedding for 2017. Every year The Knot throws an over-the-top wedding for a deserving couple. Delle Donne, who plays for the Washington Mystics, was the WNBA’s 2015 MVP and was a 2016 Olympic gold medalist; Clifton is the director of the De11e Donne Academy. Together they have a strong tradition of giving back through the Elena Delle Donne Foundation that benefits the special needs community and those suffering from Lyme disease. Delle Donne has recognized the importance of normalizing the LGBTQ community by the low-key way she came out just prior to the 2016 Rio Olympics. She said, "I've always been about normalizing things in life. This is normal. It isn't crazy. By being a part of The Knot, it's not like we're over here in this gay corner." Instead of registering for gifts, the couple created a charity registry through The Knot so guests could donate to the Elena Delle Donne Foundation. Their wedding also had a very low carbon footprint by making sustainable choices and then donating extra food to homeless shelters and all flowers to local hospitals and nursing homes for others to enjoy. When you can begin to see another person as just a normal human being doing everyday things, a real person like you without all the hyper-focus on sexuality and gender, you can begin to accept that person as one worthy of human dignity and respect. If 2017 helped us to do that, then it wasn’t such a bad year after all! Keep Smiling,

Connie Wardman, M.A., SDL Editor-in-Chief connie@competenetwork.com @CompeteConnie

8 COMPETE january/february 2018

COMPETE EDITORS SPORTS EDITOR David "Dirk" Smith With a B.S. in exercise science and nutrition from MSU Denver, David is ACSM, AFAA and AFPAIcertified and a medalwinning swimmer who conquered obesity by losing over 50 pounds. HEALTH EDITOR Dr. John Sutherland A graduate of Harvard and the University of Michigan Medical School, Dr. John Sutherland is a board certified internist and cardiologist and the founder of the North Mountain Cardio programs for health and well-being. FITNESS EDITOR Jake Tommerup A graduate of the University of Wisconsin at Madison, Jake Tommerup M.S. is an exercise physiologist, an ISSA-certified Master Trainer and the founder of RxErcise.

STYLE EDITOR Bobby Ciletti A graduate of Boston University, Bobby is a lifestyle and travel expert and founder of TheDaysoftheChic.com, an online destination for simply elegant living. Twitter @bobbyciletti MISSION STATEMENT Compete unites the world through sports. COMPETENETWORK.COM FACEBOOK.COM/COMPETEMAG @COMPETESPORTS COMPETE MAGAZINE INSTAGRAM.COM/COMPETEMAGAZINE

10 COMPETE january/february 2018

PUBLISHER Eric Carlyle • eric@competenetwork.com COMPETE MAGAZINE Editor-in-Chief Connie Wardman • connie@competenetwork.com Sports Editor Dirk Smith • dirk@competenetowork.com Health Editor Dr. John Sutherland • johns@competenetwork.com Fitness Editor Jake Tommerup • jake@competenetwork.com Style Editor Bobby Ciletti • bobby@competenetwork.com Art Director Heather Brown • heather@competenetwork.com Graphic Designer Kristi Wayland • kristi@competenetwork.com Contributors Harry Andrew, Ian Colgate, Jared Garduno, Kelli Kulick, Miriam Latto, Bryan Lee, Ryan O’Connor Brian Patrick, Benjamin Roussey, Jeff Sloan, Andy Winder. Staff Photographer Ariel Stevens • ariel@competenetwork.com COO Barbara Harwell • barbara@competenetwork.com Sales Gale Fitzgerald • gale@competenetwork.com Jared Garduno • jared@competenetwork.com Richard Myers • richard@competenetwork.com Administration Bethany Harvat • bethany@competenetwork.com Copyright © 2018 MEDIA OUT LOUD, LLC All Rights Reserved. All Mail PO Box 2756 Scottsdale, AZ 85252 • (800) 868-5906 Corporate Office 6991 East Camelback Road, Suite D-300 Scottsdale, AZ 85251 West Coast Office 3415 South Sepulveda Blvd, Suite 1100 Los Angeles, CA 90034 East Coast Office 100 Church Street, 8th Floor New York City, NY 10007

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WITH YOU: FROM THE PUBLISHER

A NEW YEAR

A NEW COMPETE!

t’s time to pop the champagne corks and celebrate! This year the Compete team toasts all of its readers—thank you for helping us fulfill our mission of “Uniting the World Through Sports.” This year big things are happening for Compete and you are among the first to hear about all the good things coming from us in 2018.

First, Compete will shift from a monthly print and digital magazine to a bi-monthly magazine. You’ll find the same great content along with more content and more pages. We’ll be publishing Compete’s national magazine in six issues: in January-February; March-April; May-June; July-August; September-October and November-December. But we will also be publishing a number of special issues, including a special February issue of Compete for the Sin City Classic in Las Vegas. So there will actually be more Compete to love this year. We will also be upgrading the cover, binding and paper of our print issue as we grow our distribution nationwide through subscriptions, retail locations and events. For example, we will be distributing a special issue of Compete at Phoenix’s Pride Run this March. The focus of Compete Magazine will be shifting to a lifestyle publication and brand, offering more photos and stories of both amateur and professional athletes. There will also be more content included in our popular swimsuit issue which debuts in our March-April issue this year. Finally, we are updating our website and hiring additional writers and bloggers to compliment Compete Magazine by publishing more frequent blogs at CompeteNetwork.com and enhancing all our social media sites. Look for the new website to launch by February 1. This is a wonderful time in sports diversity with many things happening around the Olympics, Gay Games and so many other sporting events. We know many of you have been on this journey with us since we launched in 2006 and we are grateful for your continued support and so happy to continue bringing you new and exciting things in 2018!

With You,

@CompeteEric

Eric Carlyle, SDL Publisher/CEO eric@competenetwork.com

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HIGH FIVE

HIGH FIVE for Sports Diversity As an early leader in the sports diversity movement, Compete Magazine gives out High Fives each month to deserving athletes, teams, leagues, organizations and corporations for their sports diversity contributions. Here are five who get a High Five for a job well done! PRIDE ON THE COURT … a weekend program for bringing together a January 20 basketball double-header in the New York City area where local Saunders high school boys’ basketball team coached by openly gay Anthony Nicodemo will team up with Div. III Sarah Lawrence College. Supported by Nike’s BeTrue campaign, a luncheon will introduce team leaders to LGBTQ inclusion efforts that bring sports captains and Gay-Straight Alliances together. Also participating will be retired NBA player Jason Collins and DJ Zeke Thomas, openly gay son of NBA legend Isiah Thomas. RESEARCHERS AT EVANSTON’S NORTHSHORE UNIVERSITY HEALTHSYSTEM … for a breakthrough that for the first time has identified chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) due to concussions and other continued brain trauma in a living person. Until now, CTE could only be diagnosed after a person died. This could be a landmark breakthrough for treating athletes and other individuals who are suffering with symptoms of the disease. WORLD RUGBY … for reaffirming its commitment to furthering gender equality at all levels by announcing what’s termed “sweeping reforms” to its council to include 17 new female appointments and an intention to fill it with at least one-third women’s representation by 2018. Chairman of World Rugby Bill Beaumont said that "This is a major milestone in the progression and growth of World Rugby and the global game. The reform is historic, reflective of our ambitions and long overdue.” INTERNATIONAL PARALYMPIC MEMBERS … for launching the #FuerzaMexico fundraising campaign to support humanitarian efforts in the country following the September earthquake that caused postponement of the World Para Powerlifting and the World Para Swimming Championships. Members joined with the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the Agitos Foundation to present a check for $40,000 to UNICEF Mexico in December. SOCCER SURVEY ON GLOBAL ATTITUDES TOWARD LGBTQ PLAYERS … for revealing that 76 percent of international soccer fans would feel comfortable if a player on their national team came out as gay or bisexual. The largest study of its kind, the survey was conducted by live score app Forza Football and LGBTQ charity Stonewall prior to the 2018 World Cup being held in Russia from June 14-July 15; it had over 50,000 soccer fans take part. QUOTE OF THE MONTH

“You can label me a lot of things –– tall, African-American, being gay. It makes me who I am. I celebrate every single part of what makes me who I am. It doesn't necessarily bother me if someone says, 'That's the gay athlete.' But I know deep down I'm more than just that. I celebrate all that makes me unique. I'm very proud. It took me a long time to be proud to say I am a gay man.” Jason Collins

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COMPETE READER SURVEY & GRANDSTANDING FAVORITE AFTERCOMPETITION DRINK

LETTERS to COMPETE GRANDSTANDING Kansas City Eye Candy (December 2017) As someone that follows softball, especially gay softball, it was nice to see Ryan Long on the cover of your December issue. I mean he is from the Midwest (and cute!). How often do Kansas City athletes make the cover of a national magazine? James Craig Carmel, Indiana

15% Other

45% Beer

15% Shots

25% Cider

Surf, Sand and Volleyball (December 2017) Thank you for including Varsity Gay League in last monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s issue. I really enjoyed reading about kickball and the difference such a sport can make in our community. It is also really great to see [Will] Hackner run the enterprise as a fulltime gig. I look forward to checking out gay kickball when it reaches my hometown of Honolulu. Mahalo! Roberto Roy Honolulu, Hawaii

Please submit all Letters to Compete via email to letters@ competenetwork.com.

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0 .2 G U

KNOXVILLE WOMEN MAKE HISTORY AT GAY SOFTBALL WORLD SERIES

BY JEFF SLOAN

allas Series 2014 will be remembered for what a relatively smooth week it was and the great planning that went into what was undoubtedly one of the best Gay Softball World Series (GSWS) events in history. But another historically significant event also took place within the D Division in Dallas. The women’s division split from the NAGAAA structure in 2007 and the Amateur Sports Alliance of North America (ASANA) was created strictly for women. There had not been an all-female team competing at the GSWS since that restructuring. And according to common knowledge within the gay softball community, there had never been a team completely comprised of women playing in the Open Division at the GSWS since the tournament began in 1977. However, the NAGAAA website reveals how strongly the organization values the meaning an “Open Division” has to its membership. The words, “Open Division” are listed below the logo on the front page of the website, another reminder that everyone is welcome within the rules set by the instruments of governance; women are no exception. Enter the Knoxville Fuzion to Dallas Series 2014. The Fuzion, an all-women’s team from Knoxville, Tennessee qualified for the GSWS out of the K-Town Softball League as one of that league’s two D Division GSWS representatives along with the Knoxville Cyclones. The Fuzion finished tied for third place in their hometown league’s D Division and the team had good showings at several NAGAAA-sanctioned tournaments prior to the World Series in 2014. Brandi Crass is a K-Town Softball League executive board member and Fuzion manager. “Our team has been a member of K-Town for nearly seven years. Although we played in the open division in the fall league, this past spring was our first season to compete for a NAGAAA World Series bid. We feel our league has always been supportive of Fuzion,” said Crass. After a tough regular season schedule in Knoxville and some tournament play throughout the year, Fuzion was ready to compete at the GSWS. The Fuzion’s pool play grouping was one of the most competitive in the entire D Division tournament. But after dropping its first two games of pool play, the ladies from Knoxville were able to

14 COMPETE january/february 2018

get past the Chicago Jox 13-7 to secure their first World Series win as a team. Fuzion members knew they could compete at an international tournament but getting to the World Series wasn’t a team goal initially. “In all honesty, winning the bid to World Series was the furthest thing from our minds. We entered the Open Division to help better our level of play by competing with different teams than we were accustomed to playing in the Women’s Division,” added Crass. NAGAAA is truly one big family. And while there are disagreements and competing points of view from time to time, everyone is accepted for who they are and for the unique talents that they bring to the sport. Crass told us that this World Series was no different. “While at the World Series we realized we were a bit of a buzz when many of the teams came to our games to show support for our ladies. In turn, we also stood by their sidelines, cheering them on. We were blessed with the support of our local teams who came to cheer us when scheduling would permit,” Crass said. There has been talk for years about NAGAAA bringing a women’s division back into the fold. However, no real progress has been made on the topic. For opponents of a NAGAAA women’s division, the Knoxville Fuzion went a long way toward making the case for one. If the Open Division is truly “open” and an entire team of women can play in the open division, then is a women’s division necessary in NAGAAA? Folks that are critical of that line of thinking surely can’t use a lack of competitiveness as their argument after the showing these ladies from Tennessee made at Dallas Series 2014 in spite of their loss. Regardless of whether or not a women’s division being added by NAGAAA is imminent, the Knoxville Fuzion manager wants to savor her team’s place in history while looking ahead to the future. “Every time we step on the field our intention is to win. If those wins lead us to the 2017 World Series we would gladly consider a trip to Portland.” The Fuzion’s win/loss record at the 2014 GSWS couldn’t be less important. But what the Fuzion represented there couldn’t be more important. This group from Knoxville proved that NAGAAA is a place for everyone – gay, straight, bisexual, transgender; men AND women.

… for writing arguably the most beautiful and powerful Father’s Day letter ever written from a gay dad to his gay son following their shared march in the recent Denver Pride Parade. To read it in its entirety go to www. outsports.com/2017/6/21/15851730/gaypride-fathers-day-son-micah-porter.

NIKE

… for featuring transgender voguer Leiomy Maldonado in its latest Be True ad. Known as the Wonder Woman of Vogue, Maldonado is the first transgender woman to compete on America’s Best Dance Troupe. The video narration says: “Which angels gave you their wings? Which skies have you flown? Go ahead, fly.”

A. In 2011 referee Damien Rubino set a world record by giving out THIRTYSIX (36) red cards in a single match between Claypole and Victoriano Arenas. After a brawl erupted, Rubino sent off all 22 players, every substitute and some technical staff.

MICAH PORTER SR., OUT ATHLETIC DIRECTOR AT NORTHFIELD HIGH SCHOOL IN COLORADO

QUIZ

Q. What is the record for red cards given in a single soccer game?

17 20

THUMBS UP THUMBS DOWN

Y JUL

SPORTS

www.usefultrivia.com WORLD OUTGAMESSource: MIAMI ORGANIZERS

… for lack of fiscal responsibility and due diligence, waiting until the last minute to cancel the opening and closing ceremonies and most of the sports competitions when financial problems were seen early on. It left many athletes stranded, paying double for lodging and angry, and Miami Beach authorities opening a fraud investigation.

LOS ANGELES DODGERS

… for having both the Gay Men’s Chorus of LA and the Trans Chorus of LA accompany actress and athlete Dot Marie Jones in singing the National Anthem at the Dodgers LGBT Night last month. Jones’ character on the TV show “Glee,” coach Shannon Beiste, transitioned to a man on the series.

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ONE-ON-ONE

FACE OFF WITH JACK MACKENROTH BY CONNIE WARDMAN

ack Mackenroth has a multitude of talents and accomplishments that include his athletic ability as a medalwinning masters-level swimmer, a recognized fashion designer, fashion and fitness model, radio and television personality, business owner and HIV activist. Any of these alone would be significant. But together, they create the picture of a true champion, a fact that made him Competeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2012 Athlete of the Year. What enables him to be such a positive role model for so many, however, is his courage to be open about who he is â&#x20AC;&#x201C; to share with the world the fact that he is a gay man who is HIV-positive. And his visible support for the LGBTQ community has also turned him into a primo fundraiser for many worthy LGBTQ causes.

Photo courtesy of Jack Mackenroth

2 PT.

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$56k

BRAKING AIDS® Ride is a three day, 285-mile, fully supported bike ride from Boston to New York.

As a first year BRAKING AIDS® rider in 2014, Jack personally raised $56,000

This year Jack is back with an even larger personal fundraising goal; it’s now upped to $75,000 for Housing Works. Proceeds benefit Housing Works, a New York organization that works to end the dual crises of HIV/AIDS and homelessness.

For another year Jack is raising money for the BRAKING AIDS® Ride, a three day, 285-mile, fully supported bike ride from Boston to New York. Proceeds benefit Housing Works, a New York organization that works to end the dual crises of HIV/AIDS and homelessness. A powerful advocate for the HIV/AIDS community, Jack is determined to break the stigma of the disease and the fear it triggers in those unfamiliar with it and its new treatments. Those fears create barriers for HIV/AIDS patients in every area of life – from basic needs like housing and healthcare to being able to be honest and open when in a relationship. As a first year BRAKING AIDS® rider in 2014, Jack personally raised $56,000 – the official goal per rider is $3,500. In an innovative guerilla marketing campaign, he used his chiseled body as a billboard, “selling” personalized semi-nude selfies for donations over $250. Tagging the name, business, website or social media handle of any major donor, he posted photos on all his social media outlets; the larger the donation, the more provocative the ad placement became. In a day when so many are ashamed of their bodies, Jack is unabashedly sex-positive, body positive and confident – and with a twinkle in his eye, his bold and shameless attitude is irresistible. This year Jack is back with an even larger personal fundraising goal; it’s now upped to $75,000 for Housing Works. To put that number into perspective, $75,000 can provide three months of primary care services for 300 low-income New Yorkers, two years of hot meals for HIV-positive clients in need and twenty-five computer workstations for HIV-positive job trainees. And that’s just

Jack is also fielding another team of like-minded individuals called “The Mack Pack,” and his team-building philosophy is simple: More is More.

Jack’s personal fundraising. Jack is also fielding another team of like-minded (and bodied) individuals called “The Mack Pack,” and his team-building philosophy is simple: More is More. The 2014 Mack Pack raised almost $200,000. In true Jack fashion, he’s aiming even higher this go-round. He’s already secured $10,000 in sponsorship from HORNET, a gay social app that promises users a community built around shared experience and common interests. Riders of all levels are welcome to join The Mack Pack, which promises to be an exciting, dynamic and supportive team. Jack supports the group by providing fundraising tips, training rides and lots of energy to keep riders going strong throughout the event. In 2014 he made his team 21 red tutus for day two of the ride known as “Red Dress Day.” Noting today’s negative political climate, Jack says that “doing the ride is a great way to feel like you are making a real difference when you feel powerless.” Jack is one of the lucky survivors of the horrific HIV/ AIDS outbreak of the late 1980s that by 1993 had infected over 200,000 individuals. When he was diagnosed as HIV-positive in 1989 at age 20, his life expectancy was two or three years at best – ultimately, it was a death sentence. He saw first-hand how organizations such as Housing Works provided critical care, resources and hope to the LGBTQ community when those things were scarce. The fact that he has outlived his predicted death for the past 28 years has turned him into one of the most visible and committed advocates for HIV testing and treatment, and for eliminating the stigma attached to being HIVpositive. To contact Jack directly on social media, go to @jackmackenroth.

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COMPETE

7 01 2 . FEATURE UG

COMPETITION, CONNECTIONS and UNITY: NGFFL GAY BOWL XVII BY ANDY WINDER

ou never forget your first Gay Bowl. Shigeo Iwamiya, a current director of the National Gay Flag Football League (NGFFL) and liaison to the Gay Bowl, first stepped in during Gay Bowl XIII held in Phoenix, Arizona. Iwamiya, who then served as captain’s director for the New York Warriors branch of the NGFFL, remembered promising his team that they would win the B-Division title: a prediction which, “sure enough,” came true with a final score of 7-0.

“From my first Gay Bowl experience, I was completely hooked,” said Iwamiya, “and I never looked back from that moment.” Boston, Massachusetts is hosting Gay Bowl XVII from October 5-8, a national LGBTQ flag football tournament held by the NGFFL every Columbus Day weekend. Since its inaugural competition in 2002, every Gay Bowl is a time for LGBTQ players and allies alike to play ball with passion, show plenty of team pride and enjoy the camaraderie a gay sporting event like this brings with it. Thanks to its inclusionary player policy, no matter how they identify or who they love, the Gay Bowl’s atmosphere captures the essence of other athletic tournaments but still remains unique in important ways. According to current NGFFL commissioner Thurman Williams, the Gay Bowl’s spirit can be summarized by three things: “competition, connections and unity.” “Competition that seeks to bring the highest level of sports enthusiasts together who are of like minds with a passion for the game and connections that speak to the impact of NGFFL on moments that matter most,” he concluded. Williams described the unity he’d seen present at every Bowl Game,

18 COMPETE january/february 2018

saying “We promote inclusion, respect and judge not. We support our brothers and sisters, motivating and inspiring one another as well as giving back more than we take.” For various reasons, not all LGBTQ athletes felt comfortable enough to play on their high school football teams as a teen. Or if they did, their teams might not have fostered a safe enough environment for these athletes to openly express themselves. The Gay Bowl offers an opportunity for all players to receive the respect they deserve without worrying about league and individual team or player hostility. But this understanding atmosphere doesn’t mean that teams hold back from giving it their all. Jared Garduno described the tournament as inclusive with a healthy dose of friendly competition. To NGFFL players across the country, the Gay Bowl is the central event that

their team prepares for all year long. Winning the Bowl is a great accomplishment. Players in every division – the Women’s Division, A-Division, B-Division and the newlyadded C-division all aim to win but they also play a game their teams can be proud of. “Depending on the skill level of the team, there is always a good competitor that matches that skill level at the tournament,” said Iwamiya. “No one wants to lose a game 49-0 so it’s nice to be able to compete with fellow athletes in a way that showcases both of their talents, no matter what their skill levels are.” It is an inspiring time to see professional leagues show their encouragement for LGBTQ athletics, particularly when it comes through sponsorship of the Gay Bowl. Teams connected to the Walking City (including the Celtics, Bruins and Red Sox) are sponsoring the Gay Bowl XVII alongside the New England Revolution.. “We are absolutely grateful for what all of Boston's professional teams are doing to support the Gay Bowl,” Williams said, “and we’re optimistic that this could be a partnership that creates value ... as we move the event from city-to-city.” In previous years, the Gay Bowl received ceremonial contributions from the NFL (including a player initiating

Photo credits: Austin Capitals, NGFFL B Division Gay Bowl winner for 2016 Photographer, Amy Torres

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COMPETE

FEATURE

2017

IS THE FIRST YEAR THAT AN NFL TEAM, THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS, HAS SPONSORED THE GAY BOWL. the Boston Gay Bowl coin toss in 2003) but has never received monetary donations until now. Those involved in the Gay Bowl hope that this signals a growing respect for LGBTQ sports and a connection between all athletes, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The Patriots’ sponsorship is more than just a financial boost for this year’s Gay Bowl. It is also a rekindled hope that queer athletes are welcome in all organized sports. “For a team like the Patriots to come out and sponsor the Gay Bowl is pretty big ...,” Iwamiya said. “In many times in history it is the people in the majority who come out in support who give the power and voice to the folks who don’t have power. It’s that moment there all over again when a team like the Patriots comes out in support of an LGBTQ sports event.”

NATHAN LATKA

20 COMPETE january/february 2018

As for how the sponsorship money will enhance this year’s competition, the Patriots’ donation will definitely lighten the financial burden of running an athletic event. Securing a field or stadium, paying medical staff, organizing activities and donating a starter fund to next year’s host city can cost upwards of one hundred thousand dollars. This donation, along with additional funds raised will provide “the opportunity to not just make [the Gay Bowl] good,” Williams hopes, “but the best.”

THIS YEAR’S CEREMONIES WILL BE “VERY BOSTONIAN.” This year, Beantown plans to “elevate the experience and create a challenge for Denver [next year’s host city],” just as Washington, D.C. did the year before. RUSTAN VALINO Every Gay Bowl is a reflection of the host city and the NGFFL league. All money raised goes toward the competition and the community. A portion of the money will also go to a charity chosen by Boston, a way that the host city gives back to its own community every year. Ultimately, the Patriots’ donation will aid in financing all of the best Gay Bowl events along with other sponsors pledged to the cause. “The Patriots can’t single handedly make this happen,” Iwamiya noted, “so amazing partners like Planet Fitness … come out and made generous contributions to make this work for Gay Bowl XVII.” Iwamiya, Garduno and Williams all agreed that the opening and closing ceremonies of each Gay Bowl are a highlight of the tournament. It is a way for the host city to express itself and make its year memorable for everyone attending. And according to Williams, this year’s ceremonies will be “very Bostonian.” This year, Beantown plans to “elevate the experience and create a challenge for Denver [next year’s host city],” just as Washington, D.C. did the year before. Although those involved were careful not to spoil the surprise, this year’s ceremonies will include announcing initial tournament brackets, inducting new Hall of Fame members and unveiling a special music video courtesy of the NGFFL “Boston Boys.” After Gay Bowl XVII comes to a close, said Iwamiya, it’s back to planning once more and “shifting our attention to Denver for XVIII.” Although the competition has evolved over time, adding new divisions and making other changes as needed, its core messages of tolerance and inclusion remain the KEITH LIESCHESKI

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COMPETE

FEATURE same. Whether this is your first or seventeenth Gay Bowl, whether you come to play or cheer the teams on and whether you identify as LGBTQ or as an ally, you are welcome at Gay Bowl XVII.

BEST of LUCK TO ALL THOSE COMPETING IN OCTOBER. HEREâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S TO A GAY BOWL THAT WILL GO DOWN IN FLAG FOOTBALL HISTORY!

CHIP HOUSE

ANDY WINDER Andy Winder is passionate about LGBTQ advocacy and spreading awareness for supportive organizations. When not writing, he enjoys hiking among the mountains and other natural wonders of Northern Utah.

22 COMPETE january/february 2018

0 .2

JAN

HOMETOWN: Fort Lee, New Jersey. CURRENT RESIDENCE: California. SPORT(S): Judo. Currently a professional track and field athlete. RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Single. FAVORITE ATHLETE: The Rock. FAVORITE TEAM: Dallas Cowboys. INTERESTS: Martial arts, running, art, bettering myself. BEST PHYSICAL FEATURE: My legs. WHY YOU LOVE SPORTS: Because it has set the platform for all my discipline, drive and dedication that I have today. SPORTS PLAYED: Judo, baseball, soccer, football, track and field. GREATEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT: League championships, county championships, national championships and Olympic qualifiers. ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENTS: Media placements over 30 magazines, Olympic trials, national record holder.

To be included in our MVP section, e-mail: MVP@competenetwork.com

24 COMPETE january/february 2018

STEVEN BENEDICT

Photos courtesy of Orbanic Photos

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COMPETE

AU 17 20 G.

ATHLETE

OLYMPIC CHANNEL’S “IDENTIFY” SHARES TRANS ATHLETES’ STORIES BY DIRK SMITH

Chris Mosier, 2016 Team USA in Spain. Photo by Zhenesse Heinemann

FIVE ATHLETES, FIVE SPORTS AND FIVE STORIES; each of them are making history for openly sharing their love and passion for their sport and simply being who they are. But these five are transgender athletes who are making their mark on history one spike, stroke, slap shot, punch and step at a time. At the end of June on the 48th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, the Olympic Channel, an initiative of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), launched a new documentary mini-series called “Identify” that shares the stories and experiences of five transgender athletes, all of whom are playing a different sport. Each segment features an individual’s journey participating as openly trans athlete, revealing an insight into his or her struggles and triumphs of growing up transgender. It also shows how all of them have channeled their love for sport into their personal identities. Highlighted are athletes Chloe Anderson, volleyball; Schuyler Bailar, swimming; Harrison Browne, ice hockey; Pat Manuel, boxing and Chris Mosier, triathlon/ duathlon. Each segment of “Identify” lets the athletes do the talking by sharing their personal insights and journeys. You also hear from family, friends, coaches and teammates who share intimate views of how each athlete grew and prospered as an individual as well as the impact that athlete has made on them, helping them to learn, understand and grow. The focus for all the athletes featured in “Identify” is about their love for sport and how it impacts their personal identities. The one constant in each athlete’s life has been sport. No matter what else they might have faced day-in-and-day-out they could always count on the love for their sport to carry them through even the hardest of times. But facing an even greater struggle to become whole than most, asking a trans athlete to stay closeted and give up one part of the self to pursue another essentially sabotages the quest for wholeness. Swimmer Schuyler Bailar recalls that on his women’s high school swim team he was one of the fastest swim-

mers. Needing to choose between transitioning and swimming, essentially he felt he had to give up part of his identity; for awhile it seemed that the two couldn’t co-exist. Fortunately that wasn’t the case after he was invited to join the Harvard men’s swim team based on his attitude, work ethic and overall love for the sport. Greg Groggel, director of original programming for the Olympic Channel is the brains behind the “Identify” series. He and Nina Horowitz, the in-house Vice Media director/creator of the series worked together to ensure that each athlete’s story will reach millions of people via the Olympic Channel’s reach. These stories will inspire and encourage more youth to take up sports, something that has been and continues to be a barrier for many trans youth. Greg’s purpose for sharing the stories of these up-and-coming trans athletes is so current and future trans athletes finally have role models who are like them, actual trans athletes they can emulate. With strength and resilience, today’s trans athletes somehow block criticism and hatred to keep moving forward. And in the process they have created more trans-inclusive policies and clarified previous grey areas that have affected trans and intersex athletes from a young age up to current elite athletes. The combination of their openness and new medical research has begun to break down discriminatory competition rules at the highest levels and establish ones that are more trans-friendly. In November 2015 the IOC met and agreed upon a more inclusive set of guidelines regarding eligibility requirements for transgender and intersex athletes wanting to compete, one that still maintains the principles of fair play without compromising human rights. This updated policy does not require gender reassignment surgery, stating that female-to-male athletes wishing to compete in the male division can do so without restriction. Athletes wishing to compete in the male-to-female division must maintain a specific limited amount of

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COMPETE

PHOTOS COURTESY OF OLYMPIC CHANNEL

ATHLETE

Pat Manuel

testosterone within their blood for at least one year prior to their first competition. This is to maintain consistency with the guidelines of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to ensure fair sport and also to accommodate female athletes with hyperandrogenism or excess levels of androgens (male sex hormones). Chris Mosier, Compete Magazine’s 2013 Mark Bingham Athlete of the Year is one of today’s best known and highly respected transgender athletes. Always frustrated by a lack of trans athletes he could use as role models, he decided to be open about his journey, using it to help other potential trans athletes. After he won a place on the U.S. Men’s Team in the June 2015 Duathlon National Championship, Chris began his quest to change restrictive IOC trans participation guidelines. His own international sport organization as well as many other national and international groups used the original IOC guidelines that required both internal and external reconstructive surgery prior to competing. Without a change, Chris would not have been able to compete with his Team USA teammates at the international championships in Spain later that year. That change has opened the door for trans athletes to participate in a variety of sports at all levels on a global basis. It also has been aided by Nike and other sponsors showcasing Chris in ads and ESPN the Magazine’s 2016 “Body Issue” including him as the first transgender athlete. Shuyler, Chloe, Pat and Harrison, the other four athletes featured in “Identify” have been deeply inspired

28 COMPETE january/february 2018

by Chris and could relate to him on their own personal journeys. Most importantly, he is continuing to compete in triathlons/duathlons for Team USA. Greg Groggel hopes this effect will continue to grow and expand as more athletes come out and share their stories. “Identify” shows the world that regardless of your gender identity, you can pursue the sport you love and succeed while competing as your authentic self ... on every level. The next generation of athletes carrying the torch for the Olympic movement will be one of the most diverse. By sharing these stories and creating these connections, we can continue to recognize that sport embodies the values of the Olympic Movement, “Friendship, Respect and Excellence.” It truly is for everybody.

Harrison Browne

2 R.

2017 COMPETE SWIMSUIT PHOTOSHOOT

MILE HIGH SUMMER SPLASH

ummer may be a couple of months away but that didn’t stop this year’s swimsuit models from stripping down and donning this season’s latest swimsuits and showing off their sexy summer looks. This year our friends at Andrew Christian, Rufskin, Michael Phelps, Colorado Limited, Speedo and Plank Eyewear jumped at the chance to dive into summer with us by providing the hot looks featured in this photoshoot. We love to feature a variety of sports and athletes in Compete Magazine. Some of our past photoshoots have been done in a variety of settings with a variety of athletes that we think reflect the diversity of today’s active athletes of all genders, sexual orientations, races, ethnicities and generations as well as the sports they love to play. This year our featured athletes from Denver participate in a variety of sports and activities, including dance, fitness, rugby, weightlifting, soccer, swimming, track and field, volleyball and more. Some are casual athletes while others are training to compete in the Miami OutGames 2017 being held this May. In addition to our athletes and sponsors, our thanks also go to photographer Robin Johnson of Robins.Photography and to Marlene Romero, lead hair and makeup artist at Leisure Hair Studio for their professional expertise for such an incredible result. So sit down and vicariously enjoy our Mile High Summer Splash. And then get up, suit up and get splashed all on your own – you look good wet!

30 COMPETE january/february 2018

JUMP

SERVE!

JASON ALTAMIRANO

VOLLEYBALL

ANDREW CHRISTIAN WWW.ANDREWCHRISTIAN.COM

PHOTOGRAPHER: ROBINS.PHOTOGRAPHY

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7 01 V. 2 NO

2017 FACES OF SPORTS

MICHAEL PHELPS: Making Swimming More Safe and Accessible

BY DIRK SMITH

ention the name Michael Phelps and most of the world conjures up a mental picture of a tall, lanky American swimmer with Olympic gold medals hanging around his neck. But before Michael Phelps retired as an Olympian with 23 gold, three silver and two bronze medals, making him the GOAT (Greatest of All Time), he was just another tall, lanky, awkward kid.

Like many kids Michael was involved in a variety of sports growing up, including swimming, baseball and American football. But his coach Bob Bowman saw that Michael had the potential to go far in sports, and growing up in a family of swimmers Bowman had no shortage of influence within the sport. Michael has been notoriously reserved when people have asked him about his goals, motivations and inspirations that contribute to his outstanding work ethic in the sport. He had always wanted to be an Olympian and even aspired one day to win a gold medal. But his most significant goal and his motivation to succeed went beyond medals. One day when asked about his goals, Phelps simply answered, “I want to change the sport of swimming.” According to his autobiography, “Michael Phelps: Beneath the Surface,” he had competed several times in Australia, including the 2000 Olympics. Following Ian Thorpe, his rival at the time he saw just how popular the sport of swimming is in Australia, rivaling the popularity of American Football in the U.S. At the time swimming only enjoyed popularity in the U.S. when the Summer Olympics were held. Phelps’ goal was to change that and bring swimming closer to the forefront of American sport. With swimming performances that have earned him gold medals and broken world records, Phelps has achieved his goal. He’s inspiring millions of people to learn to swim and take up the sport. Following the 2008 Olympics Phelps launched his Michael Phelps Foundation that is now partnering with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and the Special Olympics. Its purpose is “Working to promote healthy, active lives, especially for children, primarily by expanding the opportunities for participation in the sport of swimming.” Taking inspiration from his own experiences learning how to swim as well as his childhood experiences living in a single-parent household, Phelps is working with his foundation to expand opportunities for at-risk youth and kids who might not have the resources or abilities to learn to swim. The foundation’s main program is the “IM Program” named for one of Phelps’ events, the Individual Medley. The moniker “I Am” is to help inspire resiliency and versatility in each

participant, helping to instill these qualities into each kid to help in daily life. Through the program kids learn swimming skills, life-saving skills, health and wellness and water safety as well as life skills to help them succeed both in and out of the pool. The Foundation also has a Level Field Fund to offer financial support for talented athletes with limited finances and a Caps for a Cause program that permits non-profit organizations working to grow sport and/or encourage children to live healthy, active lives to apply for an authentic Michael Phelps-signed swim cap for use for their fundraising events. As Phelps and his wife Nicole are enjoying raising their son Boomer [born just before the Rio Olympics in 2016] and expecting another child soon, they’re also more keenly aware of the environment and the world they’ll leave their children; this includes saving water. In addition to his work at the foundation, on Earth Day this past April Phelps teamed up with Colgate in their #EveryDropCounts campaign to raise awareness for the need for water conservation.

One day when asked about his goals, Phelps simply answered, “I want to change the sport of swimming.”

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7 01 2 V. 2017 FACES OF SPORTS NO

JOANIE EVANS: First Black Co-President of the Federation of Gay Games BY BRIAN PATRICK

ow a semi-retired soccer player who since 2014 has served as the co-president of the Federation of Gay Games (FGG), it never dawned on Joanie Evans growing up that she could be a role model for inclusion and diversity, particularly for lesbian athletes of color. And yet that’s exactly who she has become … and so much more.

Growing up in a West Indian family in Birmingham in early 1960s England, Joanie Evans was a product of the time and place – no one talked about feelings and children were to be seen and not heard. She was involved in sports from the time she went to school, saying that “I have always been able to be at my best in sports.” Moving to London just before she turned 21, she had been working with children but says things took a turn for the worse when she realized that she was a lesbian. Recalling that time, Evans said “I had given up work and went back to school to do a recreation and leisure course. It was through this course that I learned of women's football [soccer].” Evans started playing for a team that eventually made the decision to be an out, predominately lesbian team based in Hackney. Coming back to sports as an adult made things much better; it gave her the safety to be out. In fact, she’s recently been asked to be a patron of the Hackney Women's Football Club (FC), the first team she played for in London and was one of the team’s founding members. In the early 90s Evans was asked to be part of a film highlighting the issues around homophobia in sport. Called “Running Gay,” in the film it showed parts of the Vancouver Gay Games that led to her team going to its first Gay Games in New York; she’s been to every one since. In an interesting coincidence, when Evans came out on her 25th birthday, it just happened to be the day Gay Games founder Tom Waddell died. Still living her childhood experience of being silent and not heard, Evans says that in 2004 “my life almost

came to an end with alcohol but I made the decision to live. I had to find my voice and not be afraid of who I am and what I believe in, which is that there is a space for everyone in the world to belong and I believe that I am the right person to be the first black co-president of the FGG.” Evans’ future goals are to increase the participation of women, young people and persons of color in sports, especially in the Gay Games movement. “I hope for an FGG board that reflects the membership we serve. I think it is very important to have a wide range of communities reflected in sport. For the LGBTQ+ community it’s especially important as it brings us together more than any Gay Pride can do. I know I need to change the diversity of the board; we've managed to recruit a few more nonAmericans, as a start.” Never looking at herself as a role model until after the opening ceremony at the 2014 Gay Games 9 in Cleveland, Evans says she met so many people of color who were happy to see her, telling her how they felt like they belonged. This, says Evans, “was a dream come true for me, to know that I can make a difference. I would hope that the message I can give to the younger generation is that anything is possible if you want it enough; and that race, gender, sexual identity, money, class, geographical residence, etc. should not halt you from being the best person you can be!”

I had to find my voice and not be afraid of who I am and what I believe in, which is that there is a space for everyone in the world to belong and I believe that I am the right person to be the first black co-president of the FGG.” Photos courtesy of Joanie Evans

34 COMPETE january/february 2018

36 SPORTS â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 14 CULTURAL EVENTS

4-12 AUGUST 2018

Paris2018.com @Paris2018

7 01 GYM BAG 2 N.

GYM BAG

HOT ITEMS YOU SHOULDN'T DO WITHOUT NITERIDER® PRO 3600 ENDURO REMOTE BIKE HEADLIGHT Boasting 3600 lumens and 6 CREE® LEDs at 6000k, the Pro 3600 Enduro offers 4 brightness settings and a daylight flash mode that are factory-tuned to optimize riding in any condition. Paired with a long-lasting 8-cell battery that doubles as a USB portable charger, it makes this lighting system perfect for long night rides, high speed MTB descents or backcountry touring. Light housing is highly durable with Dupont® Fiberglass reinforced nylon. The system includes: an LED headlamp with remote switch; Li-ion battery/USB portable charger; a handlebar mount and fits up to 35mm; AC adapter and a nylon storage pouch. It weighs just 839g and is backed by NiteRider’s lifetime warranty that covers any defects in material and workmanship, mechanical components (housings, covers, mounts and fasteners) and LEDs.$549.99 www.niterider.com CONVERSE CUSTOM CHUCK TAYLOR PRIDE ALL STAR HIGH TOP LTD. EDITION Converse, now part of Nike, has unveiled its new limited edition collection of annual Pride sneakers honoring LGBTQ Pride. “Through this collection, Converse says YES TO ALL, standing with the belief that whatever your gender, sexual orientation, or identity, everyone is free to be who they are,” according to a company press statement. All net proceeds from the 2017 Converse Pride Collection will support LGBTQ youth organizations. The Chuck Taylor All Star High Top allows you to show your Pride by customizing it to your taste in three steps: Pick Your Colors: be as bold as you want to be with your choice of colors. It’s All in the Details: decide between a variety of laces, eyelets, patches, rubber sidewalls and exclusive prints to add a special twist to your design. Make It Yours: Add your name, number or an inspirational message with a personal ID. The shoe is listed on the website at $85; it’s custom-made and ships to you free in less than three weeks. Free shipping and free returns for Nike+ members. For help, go to http://www.nike.com/us/en_us/c/helpstore.nike.com LUMIERE ROCKY ROAD JERSEY This men’s Rocky Road cycling jersey is part of Lumiere’s Sweet Collection and features a pastel blue base with navy, cream and pink patterning. Made in Australia of top end MITI fabrics, it uses Lumiere’s signature cut that looks amazing and feels like pure luxury on the bike. It is a true pro fit with high stretch and is designed to be worn against the skin. It comes in sizes XS, S and M; if you are between sizes, size down. Also comes in women’s sizes 2XS and XS. Key features include: high-wicking Italian MITI fabrics; signature Lumiere race cut intended to be worn slim; longer sleeve length; dropped collar; micro mesh back and side panels for enhanced breathability; reversed YKK zip with camlock puller and UPF 50+ sun protection factor. $132.54 shop.cyclingtips.com WOMEN'S LOVE IS LOVE T-SHIRT This Bella+Canvas classic baseball jersey T-shirt is cute, comfortable and has been cut just for women. Made from 100 percent super-soft ring-spun cotton by Bella, it includes side-seams and double-needle stitched sleeve and bottom hems for lasting quality. Select a design from our marketplace or customize this one to make it your own! Sizes go from adult S-XL; 2X is available for additional $5; shirt runs small - order 1 to 2 sizes larger than normal; side seamed construction for a better fit; machine wash warm, non-chlorine bleach, tumble dry low. Colors are white/black; baby blue/navy; white/ green; white/pink; white/red and white/true royal. $31.20 www.zazzle.com

38 COMPETE january/february 2018

EVENTS: FOR A COMPLETE CALENDAR OF EVENTS PLEASE VISIT WWW.COMPETENETWORK.COM/EVENTS BASKETBALL

RUGBY

Gods of the Sea Basketball Tournament

International Rugby Saturday

Royal Caribbean Cruise, Jan. 18-22

Carson, Calif., Feb. 3

Sin City Classic

BOWLING

Americas Rugby Championship: USA vs. Canada

Las Vegas, Jan. 11-14

Chuzapalooza

Sacramento, Feb. 10

Tucson, Jan. 12

Americas Rugby Championship: USA vs. Chile

Alamo City Tournament San Antonio, Jan. 12

Fullerton, Calif., Feb. 17

Ft. Lauderdale Invitational Regional Tournament

SOCCER

Ft. Lauderdale, Jan. 12

Seattle Espresso Cup

Sin City Classic Las Vegas, Jan. 11-14

Seattle, Jan. 26

SOFTBALL

Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Invitational Tournament of So. California

Sin City Classic

San Diego, Jan. 28

Texas Roll-off Tournament Grand Prairie, Feb. 9

Phoenix Regional Invitational Tournament Phoenix, Feb. 16

Sweetheart Invitational

Orlando Meltdown Orlando, Jan. 11-14 Las Vegas, Jan. 13-14

Gasparilla Softball Classic Tampa, Feb. 17-18

TENNIS Sin City Classic

Wallingford, Conn., Feb. 16

Las Vegas, Jan. 11-14

San Francisco Golden Gate Invitational Classic

Miami Art Deco XXIII

San Francisco, Feb. 16

Key Biscayne, Jan 12-15

Gasparilla Annual Games Mixed Event

2018 Clay Court Classic

Tampa, Feb. 16

Bluegrass Classic Louisville, Ken., Feb. 16

Ice Bowl

Ft. Lauderdale, Feb. 16-19

Cactus Open 2018 Phoenix, Feb. 17-19

Omaha, Feb. 23

VOLLEYBALL

FLAG FOOTBALL

Sin City Classic

Mardi Gras Classic

Las Vegas, Jan. 11-14

Florida Sunshine Cup VIII Ft. Lauderdale, Feb. 17-18

Aloha Classic Honolulu, Feb. 17-18

Las Vegas, Jan. 13 New Orleans, Jan. 13

NorCal Classic XXX

Sports Club at

San Jose, Feb. 17

Team Saint Louis Invitational St. Louis, Feb. 17

RODEO

WRESTLING

Arizona Gay Rodeo

Sin City Classic

Phoenix, Feb. 16-18

Las Vegas, Jan. 11-14

40 COMPETE january/february 2018

MULTI-SPORT TOURNAMENT

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7 01 2 . STYLE: BOBBY SAYS FEB

LIFESTYLE APPS: MAKING LIFE BETTER BY BOBBY CILETTI

THE “APP LIFE” IS STRONG THANKS TO A steady stream of new lifestyle apps aimed at those who want to do the most by taking advantage of what offers the most. Depending on your interests, you can curate your own lifestyle suite of apps to make life easier, more enjoyable and a little more fashionable.

However, in 2016 it was estimated that an average of 1,000 new apps were submitted to the Apple App Store each day. Download and delete may work as a strategy to finding the best of what supports you and your lifestyle but our guide saves you the effort. It does all the work for you and who doesn’t love that.

MEDITATION – HEADSPACE The creators’ goal for Headspace is to help everyone live a happier, healthier, more enjoyable life. And they believe that the health of the mind is crucial to achieving that happy life. The app features meditation sessions for as little as 10 minutes designed to suit various moods and lifestyles. Headspace can be used on a computer, tablet or phone, thus making it accessible anywhere.

FASHION – CLOTH

Recipes typically take 30-mintes to cook. Choose from different plans starting around $9.99. Their endless recipes accommodate all tastes, even vegetarians, and with the subscription, delivery is free.

TRAVEL – HOTELTONIGHT At first this app was ideal for last minute travelers looking for deep discounts, for the “I need a hotel on a whim” desire. But the app has now expanded its reach into future reservations of up to a week away. You can also select multiple nights for longer stays.

DECOR – URBANSTEMS With a commitment to the environment, customer service and design, you can now send or receive fresh flowers that will last longer and cost less with this app that cuts out the middle man. Their fresh approach also brings better designs than the typical online florists. They even send you a photo confirmation of your bouquet. UrbanStems is currently expanding so look for more cities soon.

NETWORK – SHAPR

If you have ever said, “I have nothing to wear,” maybe you just needed better organization and visuals. This app will help do just that. You may be surprised to find that you really do have something to wear after all. It also becomes your personal outfit diary.

It’s considered the Tinder of professional networking thanks to a swipe-right, swipe-left functionality that allows you to either pass or meet with potential professional contacts. Fueled by connecting to your LinkedIn account, the app chooses 12 potential matches for you every day based on your interests and location.

GROOMING – PRIV

BOBBY SAYS …

This on-demand beauty app allows you to book everything from makeup artists, manicurists, hair stylists and personal trainers who are all vetted professionals. Whether it’s for you personally, as part of a wedding or a corporate event, the best part is they come to you!

When in doubt about an app, remember to check a few vitals before committing to a download. Reading the reviews and checking the number of downloads in the app store can be a first indication of its value to others. Also, find out if this is really a free app or if it requires in-app purchases. And consider checking its social media presence to see how the app engages with its community and what kind of following and response it has on different platforms, like Instagram, Twitter or Facebook. You can always ask a friend if they have heard of the app and what they are using.

FOOD - HELLOFRESH If you want to eat out less and cook more healthy meals at home, this app and subscription service makes it possible. They deliver a box of delicious recipes with the exact amount of fresh ingredients needed to cook them on a weekly basis.

42 COMPETE january/february 2018

7 01 2 CT. BEDROOM SPORTS

RELATIONSHIPS and DATING CAN GET TRICKY! BY RYAN O’CONNOR, GUEST COLUMNIST

ating can be simple or it can be complicated. For me, at least it always seems complicated. When I was a sophomore in high school my older sister (I’ll call her Heidi because that’s her name) broke up with her longtime boyfriend during their senior year. Heidi wanted to play the field before going to college. And her boyfriend Neil, well, he wanted to play with the boys.

Neil was one of my first boyfriends. I don’t talk about him much because he was the first – and last – boy to date both me and my sister. We met when I was 15 and Neil had just turned 17 and we dated for nearly a year. Even though my parents and even Heidi were supportive of my relationship with Neil, by the time he turned 18 the age difference to my parents seemed bigger than the actual two-years between us. Anyway, I discovered it was awkward kissing someone who had made out with my sister. Lesson learned. After that I stayed “boyfriend-less” throughout high school. The real challenge came during my freshman year in college. I had lost track of Neil after he left home a couple years earlier but I found him again in college. He had gotten better looking and his build was more athletic. How could this happen to me? Why couldn’t he have gained 50 pounds and lost his hair by age 20? I still wasn’t out publically and apparently Neil wasn’t either. He marched around campus with a variety of co-eds on his arm, showing off both them and his muscles. It left me wondering what life would have been like if my parents hadn’t forced me to end my romance with Neil. After a few months I got up the courage to say hello to him. Mind you, I know he had noticed me on campus but neither of us had spoken since we broke up. It was definitely awkward. I stuttered out a “Hi, how have you been?” Without ever answering my question, Neil asked me instead how my sister was doing.

All I had the courage to muster was to tell him that Heidi was great as I turned and walked away in embarrassment. I don’t think I ate much after that; I know I didn’t sleep well. I took the long route to classes—anything to avoid seeing Neil again. My first real boyfriend in high school had just rejected me in college. It was like my dating life had come full circle. My first real boyfriend in high school had been dumped by my sister first, then by me and now he was rejecting me. Not exactly the way I wanted to start college. Within a couple of months I finally started to feel better about myself and began to think about dating again. Fortunately, I was able to go home and spend time with my family for Christmas. It was a wonderful holiday … until Heidi introduced me to her new boyfriend!

RYAN O’CONNER is just a regular guy who is dating in this great big world. His advice comes from personal experience and his advice is for entertainment purposes only. We recommend you consult a physician, counselor or therapist in your area for specific advice about your personal situation. Otherwise, questions can be submitted to bedroom@competenetwork.com.

44 COMPETE january/february 2018

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